New California Drunk Driving Law Restricts Uber & Lyft Drivers

Booking a Driver — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Read the blog from Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA below.

Commencing July 1, 2018, a California DUI law will go into effect making it illegal for drivers with a blood alcohol content level of .04 percent or higher to operate a vehicle that carries a passenger for hire.

“Passenger for hire” is a legal definition meaning “a passenger for whom consideration is contributed as a condition of carriage on the vessel, whether directly or indirectly flowing to the owner, charterer, operator, agent, or any other person having an interest in the vessel.”(46 USCS § 2101).

Existing California drunk driving law already prohibits drivers of commercial vehicles from driving with a blood-alcohol level of .04 percent. (For regular drivers, the legal limit is .08 percent.) The DMV notes:

“Commercial drivers caught with a BAC of 0.04% or higher while operating a commercial vehicle can expect the following license suspension periods:

First Offense: 1 year
Second & Subsequent Offenses (in a 10-year period): Permanently

Note that these suspension periods are in addition to any fines, jail time, and DUI programs the CA DMV and court system impose.”

Uber and Lyft drivers will soon be held to the same level of accountability as a commercial truck driver.

Pick Up and Drop Off Sign — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Train Passengers — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

Drunk Driving Still a Problem in Sacramento

According to California’s Office of Traffic Safety, there were 1,120 drunk driving accident victims in 2017 (the most recent year of data available). To put that in perspective, Sacramento is in the Top 10 worst cities of similar size for drinking and driving accidents in the state.

Roseville had only 20 DUI injury accidents in 2015, one of the best rates among cities of comparable size.

Why Are There Different Rules for Commercial Drivers?

Those who operate a vehicle for profit have an added responsibility to drive safely. Many more people can be injured in a chartered bus accident than a regular car, for example. And given the enormous size and weight of a big rig, commercial truck accidents can be especially traumatic.

When you hire an Uber or Lyft driver, you are trusting your safety to a stranger. It’s important that the driver be sober and focused on the road. To that end, it would be a good idea not to engage in any conversation that might distract him or her and lead to a distracted driving accident.

If you or someone you love has been injured in a commercial truck driving accident, the success of your case depends on working with an attorney who is knowledgeable about the ways that commercial injury cases differ from a regular car accident case. It is also important to consult an experienced vehicle accident attorney who is knowledgeable about the newest California DUI laws. Contact our offices for a free consultation.

Woman Inside of Auto — Roseville, CA — Frank Penney Injury Lawyers

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By Frank Penney • July 2, 2025

Tragedy struck Monday morning in Manteca when a street sweeper collided with a parked big rig, leading to the death of one person, according to the California Highway Patrol. The accident happened around 8:27 a.m. on the southbound off-ramp from Highway 99 to Lathrop Road. Authorities reported that the big rig was stopped on the right shoulder, safely out of the traffic lanes. For reasons still under investigation, a street sweeper traveling at approximately 40 miles per hour struck the rear of the big rig. The driver of the street sweeper was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of the crash and suffered critical injuries. Emergency responders transported the driver to a nearby hospital, but despite efforts to save their life, the driver was later pronounced dead. The CHP did not release the driver’s identity. The big rig had a passenger onboard who fortunately was not injured. At this time, the CHP does not believe that drugs or alcohol played a role in the collision. Authorities are continuing their investigation and are asking anyone with information about the crash to contact the California Highway Patrol at 209-938-4800. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Law does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

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A driver was seriously injured Saturday evening in a crash on Highway 99 near Fresno Street, according to the California Highway Patrol. The incident occurred on the southbound shoulder of the highway, where a commercial big rig had pulled over due to mechanical issues. As the truck sat stopped on the shoulder, a Ford Taurus traveling at high speed veered onto the same shoulder and slammed into the back of the trailer. Authorities say the Taurus appeared to be driving recklessly before the collision. The impact left the car heavily damaged, and the driver—who was not wearing a seatbelt—was rushed to a local hospital with major injuries. “Our hearts go out to the injured driver,” the CHP said in a statement. “This incident serves as a stark reminder that excessive speed and reckless behavior can have devastating consequences.” The CHP is using the crash as an opportunity to remind all motorists to drive responsibly, follow traffic laws, and always wear a seatbelt. Experience unparalleled legal representation with Frank Penney Injury Law , the esteemed recipients of the CAOC Trial Attorney of the Year award. With over two decades of dedicated service, our team has consistently delivered record-setting results for accident victims in Northern, Central, and Southern California. Enjoy peace of mind with our no upfront fees policy. Contact us today at 888-888-0566 or through our website www.penneylaw.com for a FREE consultation. Frank Penney Injury Lawyers does not represent any of the parties mentioned above. Nevertheless, we sympathize with the victim and their families in this time of crisis.

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If you are involved in any type of personal injury due to the fault of someone else, our experienced team at Frank Penney Injury Lawyers in Roseville, CA can help. We are available to anyone in Northern California 24/7! Give us a call today to learn more at 888-888-0566. We will fight for your rights!